World Cup Soccer: Germany Hosts Costa Rica
The World Cup draw was kind to defending champion Brazil and host Germany. It really hurt Argentina.

Five-time champion Brazil will play its first match against 1998 semifinalist Croatia, followed by games against Australia and Japan.

Germany, which has won the title three times, plays the opening game against Costa Rica before taking on neighbor Poland and Ecuador.

Despite the easy draw, coach Juergen Klinsmann and former World Cup winning captain and coach Franz Beckenbauer were cautious, especially about the opening game against the Costa Ricans in Munich.

"Don't expect too many goals in the opening game," Klinsmann said while Beckenbauer reminded the Germans how Argentina lost the opener to Cameroon and France tumbled to Senegal.

"The Germans should not underestimate Costa Rica because, in the opening games, there are often surprises," he said.

While it sounds like easy rides for the Brazilians and Germans, Argentina has another tough job getting to the knockout phase after having been knocked out in the first round in 2002.

The Argentines drew the Netherlands as well as Serbia-Montenegro and a talented Ivory Coast team which may well mark its debut with some upset victories.

Argentina coach Jose Pekerman was unable to attend the draw but his assistant, Hugo Tocalli, said his players were not afraid.

"No, we are not. We have a lot of confidence, we have no fear," Tocalli said. "On the other hand we have faith."

France, the 1998 champion, must start against one of the teams it faced in qualifying, Switzerland. South Korea, a semifinalist in 2002, and newcomer Togo are also in the group.